London: Cheese Tasting Walking Tour

Cheese gives London a delicious new angle. This two-hour walk links a royal cheesemonger, F&M’s French deli counter, an Italian delicatessen, and a dairy shop near Covent Garden, with samples at each stop. I like the compact route through Mayfair and Soho, and I like that the group is limited to 10 people, which should make questions and conversation easier.

The main consideration is the food itself. This tour is not suitable for anyone with food allergies, lactose intolerance, or nut allergies, and children must be at least 12. Also note the mixed mobility information: the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but it also says it is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, so ask the provider to clarify before booking.

Key points at a glance

• Royal cheese connection: Begin at a London cheesemonger where Queen Elizabeth bought cheese and King Charles is said to shop today.
• Four tasting stops: Sample English, French, Italian, and British cheeses across Mayfair, Soho, and Covent Garden.
• A walking food lesson: Learn how cheese pairs with wine, as well as how specialist shops present and sell their products.
• Small group setting: No more than 10 people join the walk, a useful size for tasting and asking questions.
• Central London finish: Start outside Green Park Tube station and finish at Seven Dials, near Covent Garden.
• Practical inclusions: A guide, cheese samples, artisan cheesemaker visits, and a small bottle of water are included.

What the two-hour cheese walk is really like

This is a short, focused food walk rather than a full meal or a general tour of London. You move between four stops, spending about 30 minutes at each one. That gives the guide enough time to introduce the shop, explain the cheeses, and let you taste, but it does not leave much room for lingering.

I see the format as a good match for a morning or afternoon in central London. You get a taste of several cheese traditions without committing half a day to a large food tour. The walk also places you in districts that are easy to reach by Underground and useful for continuing your sightseeing afterward.

The tour begins outside Green Park Tube station, at the Piccadilly South side exit. Look for the bus shelter opposite the M&S shop. This is a clear meeting point, but give yourself enough time to find the correct exit. Green Park has several exits, and central London stations can be confusing when you are watching the clock.

From there, the route moves toward Mayfair. You should wear comfortable shoes and outdoor clothing, since the experience involves walking between shops and tasting indoors. The small bottle of water is a modest but useful touch, especially when sampling salty, rich cheeses.

The royal cheesemonger in Mayfair

The first stop is the tour’s strongest talking point. This specialist cheese shop is associated with the royal household: Queen Elizabeth used to buy cheeses here, and King Charles now shops here. The appeal is not simply the royal connection. A specialist cheesemonger gives the guide a natural place to explain how fine cheeses are selected, stored, served, and sold.

You will sample a couple of English cheeses and hear about the shop and its range. The information provided does not name the exact cheeses, so you should expect the selection to vary. That is sensible in a cheese shop, where availability and condition can change.

I like this opening because it introduces the subject through British produce rather than beginning with a generic tasting plate. You get a sense of how a serious cheese counter works, and the royal association adds a memorable London detail. It also sets up a useful comparison for the French and Italian samples that follow.

The drawback is that this is a shop visit, not a private production tour. You will learn about the retailer and taste cheese, but there is no promise of seeing cheese being made. If you want a farm or dairy-production experience, this walk will feel more like a city tasting tour.

A French cheese at F&M

The second 30-minute stop takes place at the deli in F&M, where you sample a French cheese. The initials refer to the well-known London food store, but the supplied details do not name the specific counter or cheese. Your guide should explain the sample and place it within the wider French cheese tradition.

This stop adds contrast. After English cheese from a royal-linked specialist, a French selection gives you a chance to notice differences in texture, flavor, and presentation. The tour also includes advice on pairing cheese and wine, so this is a good point to pay attention to how the guide describes matching stronger or milder cheeses with drinks.

Keep your expectations in proportion. The tour includes samples, not a wine tasting, and no wine is listed as part of the price. You may receive pairing guidance without actually being served wine. That still has value, especially if you plan to buy cheese later in your trip, but you should not book this as a wine-and-cheese event.

F&M is also a retail setting. That can make the stop feel polished and convenient, though it may be less intimate than a tiny independent counter. If you enjoy food halls and grand department-store food rooms, this should fit nicely into your London plans.

An Italian delicatessen and the drunken cheese

The third tasting takes you into Soho and an Italian delicatessen. Here you sample the shop’s drunken cheese, an especially memorable name and likely the sort of detail that gives the tour its playful side.

The term refers to a style of cheese associated with maturing cheese in or around wine, but the supplied tour information does not give the exact method or variety. Let the guide fill in that detail on the day. What matters for the visitor is the change in character: after British and French examples, the Italian sample offers a different approach to aging and flavor.

This is also where the walk’s informal tone may come through. The tour promises a few cheesy jokes, so expect the guide to keep things light rather than treating every tasting like a formal class. I consider that a plus for most people. Cheese is easier to remember when the explanation is relaxed and amusing.

Still, four tastings in two hours can move quickly. If you want detailed notes on every cheese, ask questions as you go. The group limit of 10 should help, but you will not have unlimited time at each counter.

British cheese near Covent Garden

The final stop is a dairy shop near Covent Garden, where you sample a few British cheeses. This returns the tour to its home country and gives you a wider taste of British cheese than the first stop alone.

The route finishes at Seven Dials, a handy location for continuing into Covent Garden or Soho. That makes the ending practical. You are not dropped at an isolated meeting point, and you can easily pair the tour with shopping, theatre plans, or another central London visit.

The details do not specify the exact dairy shop or the cheeses served. That means you should judge this stop as a chance to sample a few British options rather than a guaranteed list of named products. The selection may depend on what is available on the day.

This final tasting may also be the most useful for buying something to take home. Purchases are not included, and any cheese, deli items, or other products you choose to buy are extra. Bring that into your budget if you expect to leave with a few favorites.

Cheese, wine, and the value of a guided tasting

The tour costs $74 per person. That is not cheap for two hours, especially since the food consists of samples rather than a complete lunch. The value rests in the access to several specialist food shops, the guide’s explanations, the royal cheesemonger visit, and the convenience of having the route organized for you.

I would compare the price with what you want from the experience. If you simply want to eat cheese, buying a few portions yourself will cost less. If you want context, a planned route, and introductions to British, French, and Italian styles, the fee becomes easier to justify.

The small group matters here. A maximum of 10 people is far more manageable than a large food walk when you are standing at a counter and trying to hear an explanation. You can ask about flavors, storage, pairings, and purchases without needing to shout across a crowd.

The tour includes a live English-speaking guide, cheese samples, visits to artisan cheesemakers, and water. It does not include hotel pickup, transportation to Green Park, or anything you buy during the walk. Build those costs into your plans, though the central meeting and finishing points are well connected.

Who should book this London food walk?

I would recommend it to adults and older teenagers who like food, shopping, and short city walks. The minimum age is 12, so families with younger children will need another activity. It also suits first-time London visitors who want a compact experience in Mayfair, Soho, and the Covent Garden area.

It is especially useful if you are curious about British cheese but do not know where to start. The route gives you several reference points, from a royal-linked shop to a deli setting and an Italian specialty counter. You can use what you learn when choosing cheese in a market or shop later.

I would be cautious if you have mobility concerns. The activity is marked wheelchair accessible, but the same information says it is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Because this is a walking route with several shop visits, contact London Mystery Walks before paying and ask about the exact streets, entrances, seating, and pace.

You should also avoid booking if you have a cold, as the activity specifically lists people with a cold among those not suitable for the tour. Food allergies, nut allergies, lactose intolerance, and other dietary restrictions are also listed as exclusions. Do not assume substitutions will be available.

Timing, clothing, and useful planning tips

The tour lasts two hours, but you should allow extra time before and after it. Arrive early at the Green Park meeting point, particularly if you are unfamiliar with the station exits. The route finishes at Seven Dials, so planning a nearby meal afterward makes sense if the samples do not feel like enough food.

Comfortable shoes are essential. You will be outside between tasting stops, and the activity asks you to bring outdoor clothing. London weather can change quickly, so a light waterproof layer is a sensible choice.

A face mask or protective covering is also listed among the things to bring. The requirement may depend on current instructions, but you should follow the provider’s guidance before departure.

The tour is offered in English. If you need another language, this is not the right choice based on the available information. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your London schedule is still shifting.

Should you book the London Cheese Tasting Walking Tour?

Book it if you want a friendly, compact introduction to cheese shops in central London, with four tastings and a small group rather than a long formal food class. The royal cheesemonger, the Italian drunken cheese, and the finish at Seven Dials give the route enough character to feel more distinctive than a simple sampling session.

Skip it if you need a full meal, a wine tasting with pours, a farm visit, or detailed information about named cheeses in advance. At $74, the tour makes the most sense when you value the guide, the shop visits, and the chance to taste several styles in a well-planned two-hour route.

FAQ

Where does the cheese tasting tour begin?

It begins outside Green Park Tube station at the Piccadilly South side exit, opposite the M&S shop and under the bus shelter.

Where does the tour finish?

The tour finishes at Seven Dials.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts two hours.

How many people can join the group?

The group is limited to a maximum of 10 participants.

What cheeses will I taste?

You will sample English cheeses at the royal cheesemonger, a French cheese at F&M, Italian drunken cheese at an Italian delicatessen, and several British cheeses near Covent Garden.

Is wine included?

No wine is listed as included. The guide provides information about pairing cheese and wine.

Is water included?

Yes. A small bottle of water is included.

Is hotel pickup provided?

No. Hotel pickup is not included, and transportation to the Green Park meeting point is also not included.

Can children join the tour?

Children under 12 cannot join the activity.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but it also says it is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Contact London Mystery Walks to confirm whether the route meets your needs before booking.